Vineet reached home around 20 minutes later, he parked his car and headed inside. His mother was in the hall, playing with his one year old son, Akshit.

The boy chuckles to see his father and spreads his arms to Vineet, asking his father to hold him. Vineet smiles at his little one and holds him, placing his bag on the couch.

The little one chuckles as Vineet pecks his cheek.

''Kaisa hai mera bacha, Dadi ne pareshan toh na kiya?'' Vineet asks the little one who only giggles while his mother glares at him.

''Dadi toh na karti pareshan par uska nalayak baap jarur karta hai hum sabko pareshan. Khud toh din bhar gayab rehta hai upar se sham ko aate hi mere bache ko mere khilaf bhadka raha hai, laa de usse yahan!'' Savita scolds him and takes Akshit from his hand.

''Arey, meine kya kiya? Main toh bas aise hi bol raha tha tum toh bhadak hi gayi. Tum aur tumhari bahu ko aur koi kaam nahi hai na, bas mere khilaf sazish karti rehti ho dono, ek yahan se bhagati hai ek wahan se, huhh!!'' Vineet scoffs, he's still annoyed by his cancellation of consignment and now his mother is scolding him.

''Haan haan, tu bada sudhra hua hai na jaise ki sab toh hum hi karte hai tu toh kuch karta nahi. Arey, tujh se business ke siwa hota kya hai, usmei bhi koi help maang le toh tu karta nahi. Paise kya toilet mei flash karega, logon ki madad hi kar diya kar jara.'' Savita taunted, sarcastically.

Vineet sighs, so Anamika narrates her story to his mom and like his wife, his mother too thinks that he should help her friend knowing they can betray them.

He doesn't understand how his wife convinces his mother because he has never been able to do the same. No matter how much he tries but if she says no, then won't change her decision. But in Anamika's case she's ready for everything she asked for. Sometimes he feels that Savita has either adopted him or he's her son - in - law and also a ghar jamai, who's living his life on his in - laws' money.

Vineet scoffs at finding Anamika entering the scene with a tray.

''Hadh hoti hai maa, tum dono khud saare kand karte ho aur ilzaam mujh pe lagate ho, huhh!! Aur rahi baat help ki toh tumhari bahu ke kisi bhi dost ki help main karne se raha aur tumhari bhi. Tum dono ke dost lootere hai aur tum dono bewakuf jo unki baaton mei aa jaate ho. Huhh, ek toh mere kaam ko bigad diya upar se mujhe hi suna rahi toh tum aur tumhari ye bahu iske haath ki chai peene se pehle hi meri aatma kalap jaati hai kyunki tumhari bahu toh lemon tea bhi dudh mei banati hai jo tumhe badi aachi lagti hai par main na pee sakta. Dono aurtein baith ke meri chugali karti ho main aache se janta hoon, par jo mera consignment chuta fir dekhna.'' Vineet bursted out in anger.

Anamika and Savita stare at him, they were confused at his sudden outburst but angry at the same time.

Anamika returned to the kitchen with the tray not serving him with the coffee she brought for him while Savita got up from her place with the little one in her arms.

''I hope abhi se tu apne saare kaam khud karne wala hai!'' The lady says and leaves from there, leaving a confused Vineet behind.

Did he just create trouble for himself?

He sighs and heads to his room. He threw his blazer, tie and shirt on the bed and moved to the washroom to take shower, it's much needed!

***

After around 20 minutes, he stepped in the room and found his clothes lying on the floor but there wasn't anyone in the room. He picked up his clothes and placed them back on the bed. Drying his body, he wore his t - shirt and shorts after which he moved to the balcony with his laptop to do some work.

***

Time passes, it's 9 but neither Savita nor Anamika has called him for dinner. Well, he argues with his mother so it is obvious she's not going to talk and Anamika, she's already angry since morning.

He takes a deep breath and closes his laptop. Keeping the laptop at its place,Vineet moves downstairs only to find his mother and wife having dinner without him.

Vineet ran to the dining table and secured his seat.

''Dono khud hi khane lage,mujhe bulaya tak nahi.'' He makes a face and holds the plate but Savita stops him. Vineet looked at her confusedly.

''Pehli baat hum tujhe jante nahi toh bulane ka sawal hi nahi hai aur dusri baat tu hamare khane ko haath na lagana. Aab jahir hai na, hum dono toh kand karte hai logon ki baat mei rehte hai jo galat baat hai toh tu aise galat logon ke haath ka khana toh khaayegaa nahi. Issliye, wahan kitchen hai jaa aur khana bana ke kha.'' Savita told him and pulled the bowls of food towards herself.

Vineet makes a crying face, why does his mother need to punish him for no reason. Okay, he shouldn't be shouting on her but she's being too harsh on him.

Well, Savita was in the army. She was in the medical department and being in the army made her a strict person who has some rules and he has broken them by not disrespecting her, so forth he's punished for the same.

''Maa!!! Aisa na karo please, i'm sorry na.'' He apologised, pouting like a kid but Savita didn't even look at him.

Vineet gazes at Anamika who's staring at her food plate.

Vineet scoffs, the ladies are not going to show any affection. He leaves his seat and heads to the kitchen to cook something for himself. It's when he discovers that it will take him a lot of time to prepare even a simple dish and he can't wait that long, so he came up with the idea to cook maggie as it will take hardly five minutes.

He commenced his work by placing a pan on the stove and pouring water in it, adding maggie and its masala along with some veggies, almost messing up the whole kitchen. He mistakenly dropped all the spoons and forks on the floor while trying to collect them. He hit his head on a drawer which led the rice to shatter on the floor.

''Arey yaar.'' He stamped his foot frustratedly and concentrated on his maggie not bothering to collect the rice. Instead he called on a servant and asked him to clean the kitchen while he himself took his leave with the maggie bowl.

Whistling and humming he secures his seat on the dining table. The other two were not there, it seems they are done with their dinner and are in their room. Vineet makes a face to see the empty serving bowls.

He silently had his maggie and headed to his room planning how to convince Anamika, actually praying that at least today she doesn't spoil his mood like other days.

With all such thoughts he steps in the room and sighs disappointedly. Anamika was holding Akshit in her arms and was struggling with the little one, she was trying to make him sleep but it seems the boy wasn't interested, he wanted to play.

Vineet headed towards the bed, Akshit chuckled happily to see him and spread his arms towards his father. Vineet takes him from Anamika and moves to the balcony.

Vineet patted the boy's back keeping his head on his own shoulder but Akshit looked up and stared at his father for a moment and clapped.

Vineet makes a face,''beta tu bhi apne baap ke maje le raha hai. Teri Dadi aur Maa toh waise hi mujhe sata rahi hai aab tu bhi na so raha, aisa koi karta hai bhala?'' He asked the little boy who shook his head in affirmation.

''Arey!! Tum bhi dono ke saath rehke unke jaise ho gaye ho! So jao abhi, apne baap pe taras khao kyunki tumhare sone ke badh bhi mera kuch ho sakta hai. Soyega na?'' He questioned securing his seat on the recliner.

The little boy denied shaking his head multiple times, Vineet scoffs. Akshit giggles and claps his hand to find his father grumpy. Vineet glares at him but then smiles and pulls his son's cheek.

''Papa se masti haan, apni mumma se sab sikh liya hai, kyun?'' Vineet raised his brow to which Akshit nodded affirmatively.

Vineet laughs, his son is really smart for sure, he understands everything he's saying.

Vineet held the little one securely in his arm and started to pat his back. Akshit reciprocates in the same manner by patting on Vineet's chest with his little hand. Vineet smiles and pecks his head lovingly, playing with this little one is surely a stress booster.

**

Akshit falls asleep in no time. Vineet took him inside and securely made him lay in his cradle.

Anamika watches him as he covers the baby with a warm blanket with a smile of satisfaction and relief.

She sighs and concentrates on the book she was reading.

Vineet turned to her, he almost ran towards her and jumped beside her on the bed.

''Hii baby!'' He greeted sweetly but she didn't even look at him.

He snuggles to her and tries to hold her hand but she jerks him away.

''Chipko maat gum ki tarah, chup chap apni jagah pe so jao!'' She says not looking at him.

Vineet makes a grumpy face,''aise julm toh na karo mujh pe yaar, meri galti kya hai jo aise bhaga rahi ho?'' He asks, trying to be cozy, and Anamika pushes him again.

''Mujhe tumse baat karne mei koi interest na hai aur julm main kaun hoti hoon tumpe karne wali. Tumhe waise bhi humse dikkat hai toh dur hi raho,please!'' She exclaims, making the same space in between them.

Vineet whines,''galti se nikal gaya muh se,mujhe kyun dikkat hogi tumse ya maa se.'' He says, clarifying.

Anamika sighs,''mujhe uss se fark nahi padta, tum so jao babut kaam hai tumhe, paise bhi toh kamaane hai.'' She taunted turning away.

Vineet gazes at her,''hadh hai ye toh,tumhari friend ki help ke liye tum mujh se aise kar rahi ho, seriously!'' He scoffs.

Anamika smiles sarcastically,''main toh fir apni friend ke liye aisa kar rahi hoon jisko bahut jarurat hai aur tum..tum toh apna mood set karne pe lage ho, ussi mei khudko hoshiyar samajhate ho.'' She says glaring at him.

''Arey!! Kuch bhi!!'' He rolls his eyes.

''Kya arey, aren't you here to light up your exploding hormones.'' She questions sarcastically.

Vineet gazed at her, lips sealed in a line. She's right and he can't help it. It's been months that they share any good moments and now he can't control his desire but also knows that his wife is not going to let him even touch her until he agrees to help her friend.

He takes a deep breath, he doesn't have any other option then agreeing to her but does he need to do it in practice? Not really! A lie said for someone's good is not a lie!

He can lie of helping her friend just for a night, he can be a little selfish!

''Okay!! Kar dunga help!'' He exclaims making a face.

Anamika looks at him in disbelief,''sachi?'' She questions.

He shook his head in affirmation,''aab tum aur maa aise karoge toh aur kya karu main. Kar dunga help tumhari friend ki.'' He says, dramatically.

''Vineet, jhooth na kaho. Just because you want some time aise jhooth na kaho!" Anamika says strictly.

Vineet makes a stern face,''help karo toh problem na karo toh problem. Tum jeetne hi na do mujhe, fir kahoge main na manta!'' Vineet turns away.

Anamika holds his hand,''tum sacchi mei help karoge na?" She questions him to which he nodded.

Anamika chuckles happily. Her friend is really in need, her father is in hospital and needs to be operated on but the lady doesn't have that much money and so he asks Anamika for help.

''Jhooth toh na keh rahe?'' Anamika questioned doubtfully but he denied and assured her to help the lady.

Anamika chuckles and immediately calls her mother in law, who was happy as well to hear her but Vineet wasn't pleased.

Anamika looks at him, disconnecting the call.

''Tumhare liye khana lau?'' She asked, now that he agrees she can do anything for him.

Vineet pulled her to himself, she dashed to him.

''Main khud le lunga jo chahiye, bas aab tum bahane na banana.'' He spoke, snuggling his face closer to her and pecking her lips quickly she smiled and responded back while cupping his face.

They share a soft yet passionate kiss. After a moment Vineet breaks the kiss and jumps down the bed.

Anamika looks at him.confusedly, ''kya hua?'' She questions.

He grinned, ''maidan mei utarne se pehle jung ki taiyari toh kar lu!'' He exclaims and heads to the washroom while she laughs at his words.

.

To be continued..